Adam liked order.
His bed is always made after waking up, his hair combed neatly, his clothes and uniform arranged in his closet according to what he would wear every day, his books always arranged alphabetically (paper backs grouped together in the higher shelves and the hard bounded ones in the lower)… it was needless to say that every part of their house was organized methodically both for ease of access and Adam's satisfaction.
But Harry had invited Adam to his room and all Adam could think of was how clattered it looked like.
"Used to live in dorms, you see," Harry explained with a blush—embarrassed. "Kind of gotten used to things lying around. Don't worry, it's actually very organized. To me, that is. It's an, ah, 'organized mess' as they would call it."
And it is, as Adam soon found out, because Harry knew where things were, not even back-tracking in search for something. So their short stop-by really was a short stop-by and Adam was faced with Harry presenting him an ornate looking telescope.
"I won't use it anymore so I think it would be better off with you. Even if, you know, you already have one."
Adam inspected it with curiosity. It looked like a refracting type but it wasn't anything like Adam had seen before. Golden and ornate looking wasn't what telescopes were supposed to be, after all, but it looked similar enough to normal ones to not be too different in its structure.
He was about to peer through the eyepiece but Harry stopped him with a wink. "It's better if you try it first up in the rooftop."
So Adam did and what a breath-taking view he was greeted by. Despite its dubious design, the telescope worked a lot better than what his father had given him, perhaps even better than the more expensive types of telescopes out in the market. He could clearly see Merak and Dubhe, Polaris… he could even see the 'tail' of the Big Dipper in spite of the light pollution in the middle of the city.
And then he realized that the image wasn't upside down how was that possible?
"Where did you get this?" Adam found himself asking, excited and curious. And when he is excited and curious, Adam rambles, so he found himself telling Harry of the incredible details Harry's telescope picks up on and how it was comparable to Levenhuk and Celestron telescopes, albeit the more inexpensive ones, but still. Then he went on to specific details because Harry's telescope really was impressive.
"—those require larger aperture compared to magnification but of course there are—" Adam falters, realizing that he had been talking too much. "I—I'm sorry. I tend to ramble and you must be annoyed by me now, I'm very sorry."
Adam focuses his attention on his lap, scratching at his pants anxiously.
"What? Adam. Adam, look at me."
Adam does, gaze straying away from meeting Harry's eyes, a gesture Adam had found much easier to do with Harry. Harry's green, green eyes were comforting in that Adam isn't bombarded by information he can't even understand, just a tranquil void that now shone brightly with something Adam can't quite name.
"Adam…" Hands were at his cheeks and Adam bit back a whimper.
Harry sighed, "Adam, you shouldn't apologize for speaking. It's just that… I'll be completely honest and tell you that I'm not the smartest person. Most of what you said completely flew over my head. That is to say, I didn't understand most of what you just said, but that doesn't mean I'm annoyed by you." And as if to prove his point, Harry smiled, his green, green eyes sparkling. "Maybe next time I should ask questions?"
"Questions—" Adam mumbles mostly to himself. "Asking questions help aide in understanding topics you don't understand in that it broadens your knowledge of the subject."
"Yep!" Harry nods his head so hard that Adam worried that Harry would end up dizzy. "So… what in Merlin's name is refracting?"
Adam blinks.
And blinks again.
"Refracting?" Adam parrots back in disbelief. He had always found repeating himself quite unnecessary but really.
Harry nods, brows furrowed and lower lip jutted out. Sulking, Adam thought. Harry almost looked… adorable, like one of those stray kittens on the streets that people sometimes ignore, sometimes take with them to presumably take home.
"I know I have a telescope," Harry says with a huff. "But I always thought Professor Sinistra taught us a lot more of astrology than actual astronomy. And then Professor Firenze taught us 'how to read the stars and the planets' which was a much easier to understand version of what Trelawney ought to have taught us if she didn't spend an entire class making us drink tea."
And so launched a thorough discussion of the difference between astronomy and astrology that Harry turned into a debate about how astrology is as important as astronomy and shouldn't be looked down upon because "blokes think they're above everyone just because they know science". Adam, of course, found himself defending science stating that astrology had no logical basis.
"Isn't there?" Harry's smile had something that Adam felt slightly uncomfortable of. "It wouldn't be made if there was no logical basis, after all."
Their night ended with a frustrated Adam. It wasn't an unpleasant frustration as Adam had initially thought because he didn't think frustration could be what he is feeling—elation, perhaps?
"You're welcome, by the way."
Adam frowns, not quite knowing what Harry means, hands clutching at the ornate telescope that was given to him.
Harry elaborates, "Well, you haven't quite said 'thank you' yet, but you're welcome."
Oh.
"I—" Adam stutters in embarrassment. "Yes—I—thank you for the telescope."
Harry smiles and Adam returns it as is usual.
Still looking for suggestions *grins*
